Intermittent lift of liquids



Feb. 4, 1958 M. R. TEK

INTERMITTENT LIFT OF LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 2. 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 COMPRESJ @AS n.; A M T J m PRODUC/N' FORM/7 770/( By M?. Tek

Feb. 4, 1958 M. R. TEK 2,821,931

INTERMITTENT LIFT OF' LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 2, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 4, 1958 M. R. TEK 2,821,931

INTERMITTENT LIFT OF LIQUIDS` Filed Allg. 2, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

BY MA?. elo 7M d??? .and apparatus lfqrijA .tornades- United States Patent O nsfrnnMrrruNr LIFT F LIQUIDS Mehmet R. Telt, Bartlesville, ,Oklamassignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation `of Delaware Application AugusttZ, 1954,- Serial` No. `.447.5323

8 Claims. Y(Cl. 10,3-165) pumping apparatus can be 4conveniently installed v-at "a ,level below the `liquid level,-no particular problem is involved However, where :the liquid Vsupply'is intermittent, vorit `is inot desirable or .practicalto mount the lifting apparatus below the liquid'level suchasiwould be encountered in a low pressure oil Well, particularly near `the .ends of its :producing 1ife,-special equipment ismeeded. \l'`orexarnple,` in :the productionofv oil, suction rod pumps, Yhydraulic pumps .located Iin ,the bottom ofthe well,.electric .positive Ydisplacement pumps similarly Alocated, gas flift ,and many Other mChOdSvhaS/ezbeenfused. With thelelectrie-.positive displacement pumps,;the installation :and

maintenance @0st are fhighiendiths. equipment fis. primarily pump .iustallsd inthe bottom ,of the wel1.,-.itfis-fnec.essary to `usel an. extremely lclean` ,and high .pressure oil for power :and it :is ialsoffnessery to have-:the trumps mechanically ,installedn the .bottom 0 wslhhoweverf this-type .of installation is relatively. expensive vandis Aprimarily used lfor medium orhighratesfof production. -Whrenigthe :rate 4-Of .production beomes `10W..Sucher .rod .pumps ...can .be used. but .these Pumps .require .considerable Apower and .sa-intensame- .GeSflfts havebeen .usedfor producing oil .Wells at lowrats, @werent-.hete ssonsiderableslippase and slight back pressure is placed on theforrnationlwhen .thissaethqdisuseflenable@ 9f this invention. is .10.pr0videa-method .and

amargas .for lifting lisuids.

Allathrvobiect .Qf .this invention is .to yprei/.ide .a method ias .01.1 frame 10u/rf. .urenrod .eins

Stil ther Qbiesfs and .adtaatasss .of this .invention will b @mais .to those .Skilled `in the art uponreadins this disclosure and theattahcd ,Claims- Ths twenties .can be 4used tfliit .a '.liguid to ,great heights Hand has particular value in producing oil from low pressure wells. For that reason, lI shall describe my 1invention in terms offproducing oil. e

4ln the practice of this invention a ;l .J-tube is installed in a well with the U Aat a position near the ,producing formgtion. `The bottom of the U-tube is connected through a three-way valve with a straight tube which in yturn extends down 'intoltheproduing form-ation. At Vthe 'start of each lifting cycle, Vthe three-way yalve is turned so that oil can iiow from the vproducing `formation ithrough the straight tube into one leg -offthe U-tube, The other leg of .the `U-tube -will be lled `with a lift I'liquid Iwhich lcan :be the same as the liquid being 'lifted or a lliquid ICC heavier .than .and non-miscible with the oil such as water. When the oil has risen part way in one leg of the U-.tube, the `three-way valve is turned so as to connect the .two legs of the U-tube. The liquid in the secondleg of the U-tube then begins to ow from that leg to the other Vleg lifting the oil ahead of it. At the same time the U-tube is turned to connect the two legs, sufficient additional pressure is applied to the flowing, non-miscible liquid so Vas to overcome Vfriction and to lift the column .of oil. When yall of the non-miscible liquid has owed to ythe other yleg, .the ,three-way valve vis turned to hold 4thisliquid in the other leg and to open the straight tube to .the'ileg of ,the 4U-tube previously .containing the non-miscible liquid. At the same time, pressure-is released from :the

now 4liquid-free leg .and ,the cycle repeated.

If one leg of the -U-tubc should be filled with water and the other leg has a small amount of oil therein, then, when the valve ,at the bottom of the tube is opened, the Water begins to flow `from the firsttube .to the second tube pushing the oil Vin the second leg ahead otit. At the same time a boosting forceis applied to the liquid in Athe first legso as to completely movethe liquid 'from saidrst leg to the secondleg. Since the oil rides `0'n`top of the Water it is pushedover the top level of the U-tube Vwhen that leg of the U-tube is'illed withthe water.

My invention will xbe further `explained by referring to `the attached drawings of which:

Figure l is an elevation View, partially insection, of -au embodiment of my invention Where the extra iforee supplied 'is by means of gas pressure,

`Figure 2 is an elevation View, partially nSeCtiOmQ-an embodiment of my invention w'here the extra l.force snppliedv isfby means of -a pump,

Figure '3 iis a crosssectional view'of a eontrolsystem .when the three-way lvalve ofthe U-tube 'is in the initial position,

vFigureA is a cross sectional View ofthe control system awhenthe'three-way valveiof the Utubetis inthe second position,

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view oflthe control system `Ywhent'the three-way valve of the .Utube Ais .in fthe fthird position, .and

Figure .6 is a .cross sectional'view of the control 'system when the three-way valve ofthe U-tube is in the `fourth position.

Since vvmy invention `is particularlyradapted to producing Aoil from a lowfpressurewell :and since v.water is vrelatively inexpensive and isgenerally in plentiful supply, I shall .disussthe drawings v.in terms of producing'oilusing water as the lifting liquid. In thatembodirnent-.of my invention wherein compressed gas `is v.used for the additional force, I shall usecompressed ,air as .a readily `available land inexpensive gas.

p .Referring to Figure l, a `U-tuhe comprised of Vlegs .1 .andZ :is .positioned .in well 3 with .the bottom Aof the .U.,tube beinglocated near the producing formation 4. Located in `the bottom of the U-tube is a three-way valve 5 which is ,in turn connected to tube 6 which projects down into the producing formation. The well is sealed above -the producing formation by packer 7. Each of the two legs land 2 is `connected to storage conduit 8, .leg .1 ,through valve 49 and leg 2 through valve 10. Compressed gas Iconduit 11 is connected Lthrough valve 12 to leg 1 ,intermediate the maximum lift liquid level `and valve D and 'to leg '2 intermediate the maximum lift liquid .and valve 10 via valve 13. Each of these valves 5, 9, 10, 12 and 13 is connected to power operating means which are in'turn operably connected to controller 14. A liquid sensing element 15 is `operably installed inleg 1 closely -spaced to thethreeway valve 5 `and :liquid sensing element 16 is operably installed inleg 2 and closely spaced rto the opposite side of valve 5. Also liquid sensing element il? is installed in leg 1 at -a position below the head pressure of the producing formation and liquid sensing element 18 is similarly installed in leg 2. That is, if the well has suicient pressure to force the oil part way up the U-tube leg, then the sensing elements 17 and 18 would not have to be located below the actual liquid level. All of these sensing elements are operably connected to the controller 14. Check valve 24 is installed in tube 6 to prevent oil run back and accidentally putting a back pressure on the formation. The operation of my lift will now be explained.

At the beginning of the cycle, valve will be turned so as to connect leg 1 with the tube 6 as is shown in Figyure 3. Leg 2 will be full of water. Valve 9 will be open and valve closed. Valve 12 will be closed and valve 13 open thus providing for pressure on the water in leg 2. Oil from the producing formation 4 rises through tube 6 and leg 1 until it reaches the liquid sensing element 17 which sends a signal to controller 14 as explained below. The controller in turn activates a power means for turningvalve 5 so as to connect the two legs of the U-tube as is shown in Figure 4. A suitable means for sensing liquid level and controlling these valves is described below. When the valve reaches this position, the water column in leg 2 flows to leg 1 there being suicient pressure from conduit 11 to lift the oil in leg 1 and to overcome the friction of ilow. When the water level from column 2 passes element 16 and no further signal is received by controller 14, power means are activated to turn valve 5 so as to connect tube 6 with leg 2 as is shown in Figure 5 and to simultaneously close valves 9 and 13 and to open valves 10 and 12. The cycle is now repeated in the opposite direction, that is the oil rises in leg 2 until it contacts element 18 and water ow from leg 1 to leg 2 until the level reaches element 15.

From the foregoing description of the operation of my invention, it will be obvious that many modifications can be made in the apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, valves 9 and 12 can be replaced by a single three-way valve as can valves 10 and 13. These valves would then work in the same manner as do valves and 21 as will be described in connection with Figure 2.

No particular control apparatus or liquid sensing element is required it being within the skill of the art to supply these. However, one suitable system is shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. Referring to Figure 3, leg 2 of the U-tube is full of the lift liquid (water), and valve 5 is turned so as to open to leg 1 and tube 6. The liquid to be lifted (oil) rises in leg 1 first contacting liquid sensing element 15 which comprises a lioat and an associated mercury switch 15a. When the lloat rises, the switch 15a is tripped and the electrical contact is broken. 'I'his removes the current from solenoid and allows ratchet 26 to slide back engaging ratchet wheel 27 as is shown in Figure 4. The oil continues to rise in leg 1 until it contacts sensing element 17. The oat of this element rises and trips mercury switch 17a and completes the electrical circuit which in turn activates solenoid 29 pulling ratchet 30 and turning ratchet wheel 31 by 90 degrees. This ratchet wheel 31 is connected through mechanical linkage 28 to valve 5 and switch 32. When solenoid 29 is activated, valve 5 is turned 90 degrees so as to connect the two legs as is shown in Figure 4 and switch 32 is turned 90 degrees breaking the electrical circuit across said switch. With valve 5 in the position as shown in Figure 4 the water flows from leg 2 to leg 1 pushing the oil ahead of it. When the water level in leg 1 falls below element 18, the associated mercury switch 18a is opened and solenoid 33 is deactivated allowing ratchet 34 to engage ratchet wheel 35. As the level continues to fall in leg 2, .element 16 is contacted and mercury switch 16a is closed activating solenoid 36 which pulls ratchet 37 against wheel 38 turning it 90 degrees. This wheel is also con v 4 nected to valve 5 and switch 32 via mechanical linkage 28. This valve 5 and switch 32 are turned 90 degrees to the position shown in Figure 5. The electrical circuit through switch 32 is completed and solenoids or other means associated with valves 9, 10, 12 and 13 are activated turning each of these valves degrees. Valve 5 is now turned to open leg 2 to the oil formation and leg 1 is full of water. The cycle is repeated in the opposite direction since ratchet wheels 35 and 27 are connected to turn mechanical linkage 28 in the opposite direction than did wheels 31 and 38. Valve 5 turns from the position as shown in Figure 5 to the position shown in Figure 6 when the oil level reaches sensing element 18 and then turns to the position as shown in Figure 3 (the original position) when the water level in leg 1 falls to sensing element 15. At the same time valve 5 is turned from the position of Figure 6 to the position of Figure 3, valves 9, 10, 12 and 13 all change positions as shown since again switch 32 now completes the electrical circuit.

As has been indicated, my invention is not limited to this particular control system. For example, these sensing elements can be capacitance means for sensing liquids. The ratchet wheels are shown as being directly connected to valve 5 and connected through a switch to valves 9, 10, 12 and 13. These valves 5, 9, 10, 12 and 13 can be electrically or otherwise driven (i. e. hydraulic, or compressed gas) and the mechanical linkage 28 driving a switch which upon changing positions causes the valve to be activated. In the last case, the ratchets can all turn in the same direction turning the switch through 4 positions. Other modifications of the control system can be made without departing from the scope of this invention.

Referring to `Figure 2, reversible pump 19 is mounted in one leg of the U-tube to supply the additional force required to overcome friction and to lift the oil. This pump can be free turning when no power is applied thereto or a bypass system can be installed which will allow the oil to ow in that leg of the U-tube. It will be obvious that instead of using one reversible pump, two pumps can be used, one in each leg. Valves 20 and 21 are respectively installed in legs 1 and 2 above the level of the water. These are three-way valves which are vented via vents 22 and 23. It will be obvious that instead of using three-way valves, separate valves can be used on a vent line or if conduit 8 is open to the atmosphere, no valve would be needed in the top of the tube legs. These vents are used to prevent the pump 19 from pulling a vacuum on the leg when it moves the water from one leg to the other. The remaining portion of the apparatus is the same as was described for Figure l and similar reference numerals are used.

In the operation of this embodiment, valve 5 will be initially opened to leg 1 and tube 6. Valve 20 will be opened to leg 1 and to storage line 8 while valve 21 is opened to leg l and vent 23. When the oil rises in leg 1 to sensing element 17, valve 5 will open to the two legs and pump 19 will be started to operate in the direction of leg l. When the water level in leg 2 passes element 16, pump 19 will stop, valve 5 will open to leg 2 and tube 6, valve 20 will open to leg 1 and vent 22, and valve 21 will open to leg 2 and storage conduit 8. The cycle will then be reversed as was the case in the embodiment of Figure 1.

I have described my invention in two of its preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will see many modifications and uses for my invention which can be made without departing from the scope thereof. I have shown the control mechanism mounted within the well. For ease of access, this mechanism can be mounted on the surface. Where the liquid being lifted has no pressure which would make it ow up one leg, the bottom of the U-tube can be lowered into the well beneath the liquid level. In this latter case, the seal 7 would be below the 'liquid level.

would be to start and stop each cycle responsive to a time cycle. vThis lattermodification can advantageously be used where the liquid to lbe lifted has a substantially constant flow. In this case, sensing elements 17 and -18 would not be used andsensing elements and 16 would not be required but these latter two would be useful to insure the" column of water not being blown over the top ofthe leg where a compressed gas is used as the source of additional force. 'Those skilled in the art will readily recognize the fact that two concentric tubes would be equivalent to the U-tube. For example, a tube can be V1placed in the casing. Other arrangements of the two jlegs can be used without departing from the scope of this ly connected to said three-way valve for rotating said three-way valve from a `first position wherein said valve gnenssnly ,t0 ,911e of ,saidtubss ,and to the third port of said three-way valve to a second position wherein said three-way valve opens only to the two said tubes then to a third position wherein said three-way valve opens only to the second of said tubes and the said third port, and fluid propulsion means operatively connected to one of said tubes for moving said liquid from one of said tubes to the other of said tubes when said three-way valve is opened only to the two said tubes.

2. An apparatus for lifting liquids comprising in combination a three way valve, a storage conduit, a U-tube having a first and a second leg joined at the bottom of the U through two ports of said three-way valve and the top of each leg joined to said storage conduit; a tube projecting downward from the third port of said three-way valve; a volume of liquid heavier than and non-miscible with the liquid to be lifted substantially filling said rst leg when said three-way valve opens to said second leg and said projecting tube; a valve in each said leg between the maximum level of said volume of heavy liquid and said storage conduit, each said valve being open to the storage conduit when its associated leg is open to the projecting tube and being closed to the storage conduit when the opposite leg is open to the projecting tube allowing liquid to be lifted to iiow into said opposite leg; power means operatively connected to said three-way valve for turning the said three-way valve from a iirst position wherein it is open to said second leg and said projecting tube to a second position wherein it is open to the two said legs, said heavy liquid flowing from said first leg to said second leg when said three-way valve is in said second position; fluid propulsion means operatively connected to said leg containing said heavy liquid for applying a force to said heavy liquid thereby overcoming friction and lifting said liquid to be lifted to said storage conduit; combination power means operatively connected to said three-way valve for changing said threeway valve from said second position to a third position wherein said Valve is open to said first leg and said projecting tube and simultaneously reversing the position of said valves at top of the U-tube and means operatively connected to said power means for reversing this cycle.

3. An apparatus for lifting liquids comprising in combination a three way valve, a Utube having a first and -second leg joinedv together `at the bottom of lU through two-ports of said three-way valve; a tube .projecting :down

from the third port of said three-way valve into the Aliquid -to -be lifted; a -power means operably connected to said three-way valve `for rotating said three-way valve; a controller `for said `power means; -a volume of `a second'liquid in one of said legs; alliquid sensingelement inzeach of said legs operably connected to said controller so that said .three-way Vvalve is changed from a first position wherein said valve is open toisaid first leg and said projecting tube .when said volume of second liquid is in said second leg to ia'second position wherein said three-way Valve is open to both said legs, each said sensing element beinglresponsive to the liquid being lifted; means for movingsaid Volume of second liquid from one leg to 'the other leg when said valve is in-said second position; a liquid sensing element in .each said leg closely spaced lto saidv threeway Valve and operably connected to said vcontroller sothat said-three-way valve is changed from said second position to a third position wherein said valve is open to the opposite leg and the projecting tube responsivevto .all of the `said second liquid being transferred from one 'leg yto .the other; and lmeans operatively connected to said power lmeans for reversing this cycle.

.4. An apparatus for lifting liquids comprising in -comybination a three .way valve, ya U-tube Vhaving a-firstand Hsecondleg ljoined at the bottom of the U to two ports of said three-way valve; a tube projecting from l:the Athird port of said three-way valveino a firstliquidto be lifted; a storage conduit; valved conduit. means operatively connecting the top .of each said leg to the `storage conduit; .a column of a second liquid inisaid second leg when. said .three-way valve opens to saidfirst leg and ysaidprojecting tube; a compressed gas supply; valved means operatively connecting said compressed gas supply to the top of each said leg; combination power means operatively connected to all of said valves for opening and closing all of said valved conduit means and said three-way valve; a controller operably connected to said means for opening and closing said valves; a first liquid sensing element in said first leg operably connected to said controller to change said three-way valve from a first position wherein it is open to said first leg and to said tube projecting therefrom to a second position wherein said three-way valve is open to both legs responsive to said first liquid rising in said leg; a second liquid sensing element in said second leg closely spaced to said three-way valve operably connected to said controller to change said three-way valve from said second position to a third position wherein said second leg is open to said tube projecting therefrom, simultaneously changing all of valves in said valve means from a first position wherein the said first leg is open to storage, said second leg is closed to storage, Said second leg is open to said gas supply, and said first leg is closed to said gas supply to a second position wherein all said open valves are closed and all said closed valves are open responsive to said column of second liquid in said second leg flowing to said first leg; and a third and fourth liquid sensing elements corresponding to said first and second liquid elements in the opposite legs therefrom, said third and fourth liquids sensing elements being operably connected to said controller to change said valves in the opposite direction responsive to similar changes in liquid levels in the opposite legs.

5. An apparatus for lifting liquid comprising, in combination, a U-tube having a first and a second leg, a storage conduit; a first valved means operatively connecting the first leg to said storage conduit; a second valved means operatively connecting the said second leg to said storage conduit; liquid pumping means operatively connected in the bottom of said U-tube to force liquid therethrough; a three-way valve in the bottom of said U-tube, said three-way valve having separate ports connected to said first and second legs; a tube projecting from the third port of said three-way valve; power means .S7 operatively connected to said valves for turning said three-way valve to a rst position wherein said rst leg opens to said tube, opening the valve in rst said valved means between said first leg and said storage conduit, and closing the valve in second said valved means between said second leg and said storage conduit; a column of liquid heavier than and non-miscible with the liquid being lifted in said second leg, power means operatively connected to said three-way valve and said pumping means responsive to the level of liquid to be lifted rising in said rst leg, to change said three-way valve from said iirst position to a second position wherein said three-way valve opens to both said legs and for starting said pumping means so as to pump said column of liquid from said second leg to said rst leg thereby lifting the liquid to be lifted in said rst leg; combination power means operatively connected to said pumping means and to said valves for substantially simultaneously stopping said pumping means, changing said three-way valve from said second position to a third position wherein said second leg is open to said projecting tube, changing said iirst valved means from open to closed position, and changing said three-way valve from said second position to a third position wherein said second leg is open to said projecting tube, and changing said second valved means from closed position to open position; and means operatively connected to said power means for reversing the cycle.

6. The apparatus of claim wherein the liquid pumping means is a reversible liquid pump.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the valved means comprises a three way valve having a vent port, said three way valve being operatively installed to connect vent and one of said legs in a rst position and to connect same leg to storage in a second position.

8. An apparatus for lifting liquids comprising in combination two vertical tubes joined at the bottom to two ports of a three-way valve; conduit means operatively connected to said three-way valve for admitting a rst liquid to one of said tubes when said three-way valve is open to that said tube and the third part of said three way valve; a quantity of a second liquid in said tubes; a float and an associated mercury switch mounted in each said tube near the bottom thereof so that said switch is closed when said float is down due to the absence of liquid and is open when said float is lifted by liquid; an additional oat and associated mercury switch in each said tube intermediate said tube top and bottom and so mounted that said switch is closed when said oat is lifted by liquid and is open in the absence of liquid; a solenoid operated ratchet associated with and operably connected with each said mercury switch so arranged as to move the ratchet each time the associated mercury switch is closed; and a mechanical linkage connecting said three-way valve to each said ratchet so that said mechanical linkage will turn said three-way valve degrees in one direction each time a mercury switch is closed in the bottom of one tube or the top of the other tube and will turn the said three-way valve 90 degrees in the opposite direction each time a mercury switch similarly located in the opposite tubes is closed.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 665,567 Kemp Ian. 8, 1901 

